Clothes hanging device

ABSTRACT

A clothes-hanging device of the type incorporating two lateral support rods and a connecting rod for operatively interconnecting both lateral support rods. The clothes-hanging device can be selectively either folded together into a position of nonuse or opened to assume a position of use. A locking mechanism is provided for retaining the clothes-hanging device both in its folded or collapsed position as well as in its open position.

1Jni1ed States Patent Inventor Walter Steiner Oberseenerstrasse 14, Wintertlhur, Switzerland Appl. No. 53,959 Filed July 11), 1970 Patented Dec. 14, 1971 Priority July 17, 1969 Spain 150,528

CLOTHES HANGING DEVICE 3 Cllaims, 5 Drawing Figs.

11.5.1121 211/119.1, 21 1/ 104 int. Cl 1141715/08, D06f 53/00 lFieid 01 Search ..211/119.16,

119.1,119.0l,119.03,1l9.02,104,178R

[56] References Cilled UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,132,745 5/1964 Steiner 211/1191 2,503,715 4/1950 Ensmingen. 21 1/1 19.16 2,509,544 5/1950 Turner 211/178 UX FOREIGN PATENTS 352,907 5/1922 Germany 211/1 19.01

Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Atwrney-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: A clothes-hanging device of the type incorporating two lateral support rods and a connecting rod for operatively interconnecting both lateral support rods. The clotheshanging device can be selectively either folded together into a position of nonuse or opened to assume a position of use. A locking mechanism is provided for retaining the clothes-hanging device both in its folded or collapsed position as well as in its open position.

CLOTHES-HANGING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF TI-IE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved clothes-hanging device of the type incorporating two lateral support rods, as well as a connecting rod.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an improved extensible clothes-hanging device which can be secured both in its folded or collapsed position as well as in its extended or opened position.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to an improved construction of clothes-hanging device, which is relatively simple to fabricate, extremely easy to use, not readily subject to jamming, can be very quickly erected and retained in its opened or extended position capable of hanging clothes thereat, or alternatively, easily quickly collapsed or folded into its closed position during nonuse.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the inventive clothes-hanging device is manifested by the features that there is provided a locking mechanism for retaining the clothes-hanging device, both in its collapsed or folded position as well as in its opened or extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein:

FIG. I is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of inventive clothes-hanging device;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the clothes-hanging device depicted in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged view of the hinge connection between one of the support members and the connecting rod, depicting the locking mechanism in closed condition;

FIG. 4 illustrates, again in fragmentary enlarged view, the hinge connection of FIG. 3, but in its open position; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a double pawl or latch element of the locking mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 3 and I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawing, in FIGS. I and 2, there is depicted a preferred embodiment of inventive clothes-hanging device which is equipped with the lateral support members 1 and 2 interconnected with one another through the agency of a connecting rod 3 or the like and via the hinge joints 4 and 5, as shown. Furthermore, clotheslines 6 are extended and arranged between the side or lateral support members I and 2. These support members I and 2 are connected with retaining plates 7 and II, or equivalent structure, through the agency of suitable hinge joints 9 and It). Retaining plates 7 and 8 can be secured, for instance, in any suitable way to a wall II or other supporting surface or element.

Now at FIGS. 3 and 6, there is shown on an enlarged scale and in a sectional view taken through a horizontal plane, the details of the hinge connection or joint 4, wherein specifically FIG. 3 shows the hinge joint in the collapsed or folded position of the clothes-hanging device, and FIG. 4 shows the hinge joint or connection in its extended position.

Turning now, with greater attention, to these figures, it will be seen that the support member I, which for instance can be formed of a substantially U-shaped profile member, has rigidly connected therewith a further U-shaped profile member I2, shown to extend past the end face of the profiled support member I. A pin 13 serves to pivotably connect the protruding end of the U-shaped profile member I2 with the connecting rod 3 which likewise may be formed as a substantially U- shaped profile element.

Now, a double latch or pawl member 14 is pivotably mounted with the aid of a pin I5 at the connecting rod 3, the exact configuration of this double latch I4 best being recognized by inspecting FIG. '5. Now a compression of pressure spring 117 acts upon the one end Id of the double latch element I4, this pressure spring 17 bearing upon the base of the profile element constituting the connection rod 3.

Continuing, it will be seen that a further pin I8 is mounted at the profile elements I and I2, pin 18 cooperating with the other free end 119 of the double latch element 14. Due to the cooperation of the double latch element 14 with the pin members I3 and I3 and with the spring 117, there is ensured for a positive retention of the clothes-hanging device both in its collapsed as well as extended positions.

As best seen by referring to FIG. 3, the spring member 17 serves to cause the double latch element I4 to press, by means of its inclined edge 20, against the pin member 18, so that the clothes-hanging device is positively secured or retained in its collapsed or folded position.

-Now, during the transition of the clothes-hanging device from its collapsed into its extended position, the inclined edge 20 slides along the pin member 18, so that the double latch element I4 can be raised against the force of the spring member 17, until the pin 18 has moved into the recess means 2B of the double latch member M. The support member I now is positioned perpendicular to the connection rod 3, and due to the force ofthe spring 17 the double latch element I4 is pressed with its recessed means 2i against the pin I8 so that the clothes-hanging device is positively secured in this position corresponding to its clotheshanging position of use. The transition location from the inclined edge 20 to the associated recess 21 is advantageously rounded off so that there is possible an easier transition from the one into the other position, without, however, thus reducing the securing or retaining action of the locking mechanism in the individual positions. To prevent the double latch element M from impacting against the profile element 12, the bottom region thereof is advantageously provided with a suitably configured slot 22, whereby, as shown in FIG. 3, it is possible for the end 19 of the double latch element I4 to extend through such slot 22 when the clothes-hanging device is in its opened or extended position.

Furthermore, it should be understood that an unintentional collapsing of the clothes-hanging device is no longer possible by virtue of the locking mechanism since the transition from the open position into the collapsed position requires a certain force. Likewise, in the collapsed position of the clothes-hang ing device the spring I7 presses the latch element I4 with its edge 20 against the pin member 18, so that similarly there is prevented an unintentional opening of the clothes-hanging device.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A clothes-hanging device comprising a pair of laterally arranged, spaced support members interconnected by a connecting rod, means hingedly connecting said support members with said connecting rod to permit the: clothes-hanging device to be selectively either collapsed into a position of nonuse or extended into an open position of use, and locking means for positively securing the clothes-hanging device both in its col lapsed position of nonuse as well as in its extended open position of use, said locking means comprising a double latch ele ment having a pair of free ends, means pivotably mounting said double latch element to said connecting rod, a compres sion spring mounted on said connecting rod and acting upon one free end of said latch element, a pin member carried by one of said support members, the other free end of said latch element being provided with two bearing locations for said pin member arranged at said one support member.

the innermost arranged profile element possessing smaller leg portions and extending past the end face of said outermost arranged profile element, and a pin member for pivotably connecting said innermost arranged profile element with said conat least one of said support members consists of two substan- 5 "acting tially U-shaped profile elements arranged within one another, 

1. A clothes-hanging device comprising a pair of laterally arranged, spaced support members interconnected by a connecting rod, means hingedly connecting said support members with said connecting rod to permit the clothes-hanging device to be selectively either collapsed into a position of nonuse or extended into an open position of use, and locking means for positively securing the clothes-hanging device both in its collapsed position of nonuse as well as in its extended open position of use, said locking means comprising a double latch element having a pair of free ends, means pivotably mounting said double latch element to said connecting rod, a compression spring mounted on said connecting rod and acting upon one free end of said latch element, a pin member carried by one of said support members, the other free end of said latch element being provided with two bearing locations for said pin member arranged at said one support member.
 2. A clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 1, wherein said two bearing locations are defined by an inclined edge and a recessed portion provided at said latch element.
 3. A clothes-hanging device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said support members consists of two substantially U-shaped profile elements arranged within one another, the innermost arranged profile element possessing smaller leg portions and extending past the end face of said outermost arranged profile element, and a pin member for pivotably connecting said innermost arranged profile element with said connecting rod. 